Tom Cleverley injury overshadows Manchester United win at Bolton

Wayne Rooney fired a hat-trick as Manchester United won 5-0 at Bolton Wanderers, but an injury to
Tom Cleverley overshadowed the result.

The Red Devils coasted to a victory that saw them regain top spot in the Premier League from Manchester City, with Javier Hernandez opening the scoring and Rooney netting twice before half-time.

Tom Cleverley limped out of the action at Bolton (PA)

Hernandez and Rooney also found the target once apiece in the second half, as United took their total for the season to 18 goals in four matches.

But it was a victory that came at a high price, as Cleverley limped out of the action early on following a heavy challenge by Kevin Davies .

The 22-year-old midfielder wore a protective boot on his foot as he sat on the bench during the second half and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson later admitted: ‘It looks like a broken bone. We’ll have to wait and see.’

The firebrand manager later expressed his disgust at Davies’ tackle on Cleverley and revealed yet more injury worries ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Benfica.

‘It’s a bad one (Cleverley’s injury) and it was a bad tackle,’ Ferguson told MUTV.

‘Jonny [Evans] got a knee in the hip in the second half which was pretty painful, while Patrice [Evra] got a kick on the kneecap. We’ll have a look at them on Sunday.”Jonny is doubtful for Wednesday but it’s too early to say [how serious the injuries are].’

Cleverley found time to update his Facebook page with details of his condition â and it didn’t make for pleasant reading for Red Devils fans.

‘Not feeling good. Feeling like I have broken my foot. Won’t know more until a scan, when I know more will update,’ he said.

‘So angry right now, want everyone to know I got no apology from kevin davies! season could be over and received no apology.’

Rooney also found another reason to be unhappy, despite the successful resumption of his strike partnership with the fit again Hernandez and becoming only the fourth player to score back-to-back hat-tricks in the Premier League.

The England striker felt the margin of victory should have been greater and told ESPN: ‘We always know Bolton is a difficult place to come.

‘We got an early goal and kicked on from there and it could have been more.’